Albrecht appointed for international position
USU President Stan Albrecht was recently appointed as the Chair of the Commission on International Programs (CIP) for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. He will serve starting in November of 2011, upon completion of his time as chair-elect.
According the APLU website, the CIP “seeks to incorporate a global dimension into the learning, discovery, and engagement activities of A.P.L.U members. It also supports initiatives in Congress, federal agencies, and multilateral development banks to enlarge the international component of academic exchanges, research, and development programs.”
“Utah State has had a long involvement in international research, which is why I believe I was chosen,” Albrecht said.
He was hand-picked for the position by APLU President Peter McPherson, said USU Associate Vice President for International Research Deevon Bailey.
“President Albrecht has always been supportive of international research opportunities. As he has a prospective on global research opportunities,” he said.
APLU has 218 members consisting of universities across the U.S. and internationally, and is the nation’s oldest higher educational association.
Because of the large level of involvement from schools across the globe, Bailey said it was “incredible honor” for Albrecht to be recognized as a viable candidate and selected for the position.
USU sends over 500 students abroad each year for Study Abroad, service opportunities, and internships to places such as Germany, Australia, and Japan, offering students and faculty a wide field for research opportunities like the ones emphasized by the CIP.
This selection will put USU up in the ranks with other schools across the nation which are prominent for their research capabilities, said Mary Hubbard, vice provost for international education at USU.
“This position will open doors and opportunities both traditional and service oriented for students as we make connections with other universities,” Hubbard said.
She said there are no foreseeable disadvantages to the position for Albrecht, or to the university having its president take this position. Hubbard said Albrecht has a large support staff, to aid him in each of the capacities in which he serves, giving him the optimum amount of time to spend fulfilling his duties.
With international research at the forefront of modern business, technology and education, Hubbard said, it is important and even vital that students learn and understand different customs and cultures, as they are almost certain to have colleagues from around the world throughout their lives.
Hubbard gave an example of a business custom in Asian countries that may affect a person’s ability to network. When handed a business card, it is appropriate to accept the card by its corners with both hands and skim the content of the card before placing in your briefcase or handbag, Hubbard said.
Although it may seem normal to an American college student to grab the card in one hand and put in your pocket, purse or wallet without reading it. Simple practices like these have the ability to impress or offend in an instant, and, Hubbard said, are things that can only be learned by going abroad and gaining firsthand experience.
“It’s our duty to educate the students at USU about the global world,” she said. “We must prepare our students for their future careers.”
– kate.auman@aggiemail.usu.edu